Chess Puzzle #32zA0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/g1; bishops b3/c1; knights a3/f7; pawns a4/b2/c2/d2/f2/h2. Black: king e7; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c6/g7; knights d7/f6; pawns a6/c5/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxf7 — king e7→f7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen e2→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king f7→f8).
3. Best move: Qf7# — queen e6→f7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q3r/3nkNbp/p1b1pnp1/2p5/P7/NB6/1PPPQP1P/R1B1K1R1 b Q - 0 17

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